The Ford Barn

Rip · 06-15-2016, 09:13 AM

Bought a 31 truck with previous owner fabricating wooden cab and bed. Earlier ran it as some kind of beach speedster. It Has Zenith and 12v system otherwise stock. Engine supposedly rebuilt. Shud have known better but liked nice older guy and only drove it around block successfully. Once home my problems started after 3 short 4-5 mile drives went well. Then on first drive to visit club prez, it stalled at 11 miles. Then with him trailing me home, it stalled many times. It would restart with shot of choke and one/twice cranks. Because we have a small show this Saturday at a local retirement center only couple miles away, I find that by going to neutral before stopping or turning or downshifting and keeping rpms up, it kept running. I want to go but can only do some much in the time left (old fingers and shipping parts too slow).

Reading a lot and using forums, Les Andrews, Tom Endy, etc resources:
After determining choke, gas adjust working but carb air mix inop, connected vac gage and tach.

Warmed up with full retard and idle at 250rpm, vac fluctuating tween 15-17 indicating (on the gage) late timing. Then with advance at normal driving position (for mine at 9), rpms increased slightly and vac almost to normal. Gage needles never entirely steady but sometime close.

What is the correct sequence to fix my problems? Check distributor and static timing then rebuild zenith? Or just drop carb half and see if cleaning it can resurrect it (my reason is fear of breaking off bolts tween carb top and intake manifold).

My fun background is shadetree car builder and homebuilt airplane builder in retirement. I disbursed all my stuff and now have to get some back to mess with my A. Any help would be appreciated. Sorry if too long winded. Rip.

06-15-2016, 09:13 AM	#1
Rip Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lakeland, Fla Posts: 49	Engine stalls at stopsign Bought a 31 truck with previous owner fabricating wooden cab and bed. Earlier ran it as some kind of beach speedster. It Has Zenith and 12v system otherwise stock. Engine supposedly rebuilt. Shud have known better but liked nice older guy and only drove it around block successfully. Once home my problems started after 3 short 4-5 mile drives went well. Then on first drive to visit club prez, it stalled at 11 miles. Then with him trailing me home, it stalled many times. It would restart with shot of choke and one/twice cranks. Because we have a small show this Saturday at a local retirement center only couple miles away, I find that by going to neutral before stopping or turning or downshifting and keeping rpms up, it kept running. I want to go but can only do some much in the time left (old fingers and shipping parts too slow). Reading a lot and using forums, Les Andrews, Tom Endy, etc resources: After determining choke, gas adjust working but carb air mix inop, connected vac gage and tach. Warmed up with full retard and idle at 250rpm, vac fluctuating tween 15-17 indicating (on the gage) late timing. Then with advance at normal driving position (for mine at 9), rpms increased slightly and vac almost to normal. Gage needles never entirely steady but sometime close. What is the correct sequence to fix my problems? Check distributor and static timing then rebuild zenith? Or just drop carb half and see if cleaning it can resurrect it (my reason is fear of breaking off bolts tween carb top and intake manifold). My fun background is shadetree car builder and homebuilt airplane builder in retirement. I disbursed all my stuff and now have to get some back to mess with my A. Any help would be appreciated. Sorry if too long winded. Rip.